Likely built in the 1920’s, this former Craftsman style bungalow had been given a stylish makeover in the mid-twentieth century in a presumed effort to make the house look more like a contemporary ranch style. While the jaunty lines of the carport were at odds with the more sober Craftsman-era proportions, I found the two disparate styles appealing when I first photographed the house fourteen years ago. I’ve long been fascinated by houses which are so schizophrenically altered! At the time I remembered thinking that it would not be long before someone neutered the house; it was just too interesting and exuberant for it to survive intact in its north-central Kansas location.
The house was extensively altered when the carport was added – a veneer of brick, iron porch supports and new doors and windows were among the many changes made during the update. Alterations at the rear of the house continued the mid-century modern theme; large glass picture windows revealed aqua-hued kitchen appliances within. Unfortunately I did not get a photo of that, and today the kitchen has been “normalized”. It took longer than I thought, but the exterior of the house was eventually neutered. Given the distinctly mid-century brick veneer and carport planter, it’s not likely that the house will ever attain a Craftsman appearance again, so from a preservation point of view the best option would have been to keep the house as it was when first remodeled. Recent alterations appear to emphasize the Craftsman character through exterior paint colors while mid-century design features have been squelched.
First we’ll explore the exterior as it was – the last photos will show that what had been the most interesting feature is now the least:
The house as it was when I first photographed it in 2004. In addition to the quirky carport, note the triangular glass window in the front door, picture windows, iron porch and carport supports, and horizontal emphasis seen in the mid-century brick veneer. Exposed carport rafters visually relate to the exposed rafter tails of the original Craftsman roof.
Nine years later. Paint is peeling, but the carport is as exuberant and playful as ever! Image courtesy of Google Street View.
The back of the house retains its original clapboard siding; the side is largely obscured by mature landscaping. Image courtesy of Google Street View.
The large picture windows of the formerly modern kitchen can be seen at left. Image courtesy of Google Street View.
Today the house has lost its fun-loving personality and sulks in a murky sort of Design Purgatory. The new and strictly utilitarian carport roof now ties into the porch roof, though at a lesser slope. Note that the previously interesting door has been replaced with a non-descript “Colonial” version which relates to neither of the two surviving stylistic themes. A square wood post supporting the new version of the carport is further out of context.
A final view taken during a recent yard sale. The wood post seems especially awkward here.
That poor bungalow! Well-intentioned abuse after well-intentioned abuse heaped upon it. At least the ersatz-modern carport added personality. The rest of the “improvements” comprise an installment-plan architectural lobotomy that only Nurse Ratched could love.
In the spirit of looking for something nice to add, I do have to say that although it’s wholly inappropriate for this house, I’m rather fond of the Roman brick popular in the 50s or early 60s. It’s rarely used today because of the additional labor required to construct walls with it, and there are only a few brick manufacturers still making it.
“…an installment-plan architectural lobotomy that only Nurse Ratched could love” – LOL!
Roman brick does look nice whenever horizontality needs emphasis; I also admire it! The masons who installed this particular veneer did a nice job of pulling out selected bricks for “random” shadow line effect. Even though it doesn’t really fit the house, brick is more universally appreciated than haphazard rooflines, so it will likely survive. I’m glad to learn that Roman brick is still in production; hopefully it will make a comeback in the future.
either you’re not getting enough sleep lately or something in your life is causing physical discomfort. personally I think it’s trying to make 2 disastrous houses into the success story of your lost church but even so I think here you’re just being bitchy.
while the final deportment is no bed of roses, that carport was just too f’ed up even for someone with as far out eclectic architectural tastes as mine. I actually like the paint combination and the white painted rafter ends. while nothing short of a million dollar rehab could bring it all the way back, this is far better than it was (sans the square post that
is).
take some chamomile tea and maybe a little yoga. breathe!!
Wow.
I am gonna guess that an architect purchased the house in the 1950s and wanted to LEAVE HIS MARK!
Sadly, the architect was not very talented, but I do appreciate the hyper carport!
Maybe he thought he was a Bruce Goff, but he was really more of a Jack Goff.
Best comment EVER.
The current version looks much better- it’s got a nice paint job and a beautiful garden in front. At least triple the curb appeal and probably much value added as opposed to it getting condemned and torn down.
Glad to see someone who actually cares about maintenance picked up that place! Even if the carport looks a little awkward.
I’ll admit that the house looks much tidier now, but I liked the old carport. Apparently I’m in the minority… (sniff). You are right; it’s much better than condemnation, demolition and another empty lot.